Effects of Astaxanthin Supplementation on Soccer Performance Under Fatigue (AX-FATIGUE)

March 28, 2026 updated by: Yue Dou, Beijing Sport University

Effects of Four-Week Astaxanthin Supplementation on Soccer-Specific Performance, Neuromuscular Function, and Fatigue-Related Biomarkers Under Exhaustive Exercise in Soccer Players

This study aims to investigate the effects of four-week astaxanthin supplementation on soccer-specific performance under fatigue in soccer players. Using a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled design, participants were assigned to receive either astaxanthin or placebo for 4 weeks. After the supplementation period, participants completed an exhaustive exercise protocol followed by assessments of soccer-specific performance, neuromuscular function, and fatigue-related responses. The study is designed to determine whether astaxanthin supplementation can attenuate fatigue-related declines in performance and improve recovery-related outcomes in soccer players.

Study Overview

Status

Completed

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

Soccer is characterized by repeated high-intensity efforts, rapid changes of direction, technical execution, and decision-making under physically demanding conditions. Fatigue induced by exhaustive exercise may impair neuromuscular performance, technical skills, and cognitive function. Astaxanthin is a carotenoid with antioxidant properties and has been suggested to help reduce exercise-related oxidative stress and fatigue. However, evidence regarding its effects on soccer-specific performance under fatigue remains limited.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of four-week astaxanthin supplementation on soccer-specific performance, neuromuscular function, and fatigue-related biomarkers under exhaustive exercise conditions in soccer players. This study used a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel design. Eligible soccer players were assigned to either an astaxanthin supplementation group or a placebo group for 4 weeks.

After the intervention period, participants completed a standardized exhaustive exercise protocol to induce fatigue. Outcome assessments were then performed to evaluate soccer-specific performance and fatigue-related responses. The primary objective was to determine whether astaxanthin supplementation could reduce fatigue-related performance decline. Secondary objectives were to examine its effects on neuromuscular function and selected fatigue-related physiological responses.

The findings of this study may help clarify the potential role of astaxanthin supplementation as a nutritional strategy to support performance maintenance under fatigue in soccer players.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

30

Phase

  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

  • China
    • Beijing Municipality
      • Beijing, Beijing Municipality, China, 710068
        • Beijing Sport University

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • - Male soccer players aged 18 to 25 years.
  • Healthy collegiate soccer players with regular soccer training experience.
  • Participated in systematic soccer training for at least 3 years and regular training at least 3 times per week during the previous 6 months.
  • Able to complete the supplementation protocol, exhaustive exercise protocol, and all performance assessments.
  • Provided written informed consent before participation.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • - Current musculoskeletal injury, pain, or illness affecting exercise performance or test participation.
  • History of cardiovascular, metabolic, neurological, or other medical disorders that could affect study safety or outcomes.
  • Use of antioxidant, ergogenic, or nutritional supplements that could influence study outcomes within 4 weeks before enrollment.
  • Known allergy or intolerance to astaxanthin or capsule ingredients.
  • Smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, or use of medications that could affect fatigue, performance, or physiological responses.
  • Failure to comply with study procedures or intervention requirements.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Basic Science
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: Triple

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Astaxanthin Group
Participants in this arm received astaxanthin supplementation for 4 weeks.
Dietary supplement: Astaxanthin
Astaxanthin capsules were administered orally once daily for 4 weeks.
Placebo Comparator: Placebo Group
Participants in this arm received placebo capsules for 4 weeks.
Other: Placebo
Placebo capsules matched in appearance and packaging were administered orally once daily for 4 weeks.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Loughborough Soccer Passing Test total time
Time Frame: After 4 weeks of supplementation, assessed immediately after the exhaustive exercise protocol
The total time required to complete the Loughborough Soccer Passing Test was used to assess soccer-specific technical performance under fatigue.
After 4 weeks of supplementation, assessed immediately after the exhaustive exercise protocol

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Repeated sprint ability total time
Time Frame: After 4 weeks of supplementation, assessed immediately after the exhaustive exercise protocol
The total time required to complete the repeated sprint ability test was used to assess sprint performance under fatigue
After 4 weeks of supplementation, assessed immediately after the exhaustive exercise protocol
Countermovement jump height
Time Frame: After 4 weeks of supplementation, assessed immediately after the exhaustive exercise protocol
Countermovement jump height was used to assess lower-body neuromuscular performance under fatigue.
After 4 weeks of supplementation, assessed immediately after the exhaustive exercise protocol
Soccer dribbling performance time
Time Frame: After 4 weeks of supplementation, assessed immediately after the exhaustive exercise protocol
The time required to complete the soccer dribbling test was used to assess technical performance under fatigue.
After 4 weeks of supplementation, assessed immediately after the exhaustive exercise protocol
Decision-making accuracy
Time Frame: After 4 weeks of supplementation, assessed immediately after the exhaustive exercise protocol
Decision-making accuracy was used to assess cognitive performance under fatigue during soccer-specific testing.
After 4 weeks of supplementation, assessed immediately after the exhaustive exercise protocol
Fatigue-related biomarkers
Time Frame: After 4 weeks of supplementation, assessed after completion of the exhaustive exercise protocol
Fatigue-related physiological and biochemical markers were assessed to examine fatigue-related responses after the intervention.
After 4 weeks of supplementation, assessed after completion of the exhaustive exercise protocol

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Beijing Sport University

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

January 1, 2026

Primary Completion (Actual)

February 5, 2026

Study Completion (Actual)

February 8, 2026

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

March 28, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

March 28, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

April 3, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

April 3, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

March 28, 2026

Last Verified

March 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • 2026039H

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

UNDECIDED

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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